Springs

[Showme]

  Does anyone have a source for the small compression springs like used in older Atlas trucks with Rapido couplers? They measure out at 2mm diameter x 5-6mm or so long. Regular spring steel ok, not stainless. Bulk package preferably. The best I have found so far are 10 to a package, stainless steel, $$$. I have 3d printed dummy couplers that I am using to replace the Rapido's on coal and grain trains and inadvertently launched several to Mars.

Bob

[peteski]

I don't know of sources, but I have some I kept after converting rapidos to MTL couplers.  If you need half a dozen or so, I could sent those to you.

[mmagliaro]

Kadee (not Microtrains) coupler springs from other scales often work well for things like this.

Check out:
www.kadee.com/documents/kadee_spring_spec.pdf

That's a document with all the Kadee couple spring specs.  You want 2mm diam and 5-6mm length, so that's
.078" x around 0.210".    Looks like the #845 or #846 might work.   They are about $4.00 for a dozen.
How many coils are on the Atlas truck springs?

[Showme]

Peteski, thank you for the offer but I am looking to get 30 or more springs. I have a lot of Atlas, Lifelike, Con Cor trucks that are missing the original springs and couplers to go along with the springs I have lost.

Thanks Max. That is just the ticket. I never thought of checking other scales. I'll get my local hobby shop to order in some. The spring on the Atlas truck is the one in the coupler box. Picture a T-shank type knuckle coupler similar to the Unimate/FVM style. The spring lets the coupler flex around a bit. I'm printing my own to use for unit trains. So far, they are working as expected. I fine-tuned the design so they will hook up to MT, Unimate, Accumate, pretty much any of the presently marketed knuckle couplers.

Bob

[mmagliaro]

No problem, Bob.   I stumbled on to this idea in one of my many hunts for "a spring like just so" when scratchbuilding steam locos.   I just took a shotgun approach and bought a few different packaged of Kadee's HO, S, and O scale couplers to find something that would work.  I did not have the advantage of that measurements chart.  I just happened to do a web search and found that chart last night.  I wonder how long it's been around?

[Sumner]

Found some .3x2x5 on ebay ( HERE ) .  Not sure if they would work or not.  More options there though,

Sumner

[Showme]

Good price. About half the cost of Kadee. Got some Kadee springs ordered but I'll take a chance and order a couple of those packages, too. Thanks.

Bob

[Hedron]

Pardon the thread necromancy.

How did this spring search turn out? Which worked, which were the best? I've got a set of Roundhouse kits that arrived in a jumble and need the same springs.

[Olivani]

Kato Z01-0042 Coupler Spring (20 pieces)

Oliver

[Hedron]

Kato Z01-0042 Coupler Spring (20 pieces)

Oliver

Thanks, Oliver. I'm having trouble sourcing that part for a reasonable price, but a part number is helpful. Still hoping to hear about the Kadee or generic ebay alternatives above.

[Showme]

The Kadee springs worked great. The Ebay springs were ok, but the vendor was not helpful. He shorted me on part of the order and took days for him to finally reply with a partial refund.

[Hedron]

Thanks!

[fire5506]

Did you look in the Micro Trains website? They make coupler conversions that just replace the Rapido couplers. I found these on there.

https://www.micro-trains.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=63_109&product_id=343

https://www.micro-trains.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=63_109&product_id=344



  Richard Webster

[peteski]

Did you look in the Micro Trains website? They make coupler conversions that just replace the Rapido couplers. I found these on there.

I suspect that if he 3D prints his own replacement couplers, he gets them for next to no cost.

[fire5506]

I suspect that if he 3D prints his own replacement couplers, he gets them for next to no cost.

 Since the OP asked where to get replacement springs to replace lost springs I gave him links to MT springs like he was looking for.

 "So I suspect" that he is in need of some springs since he asked about them.

 Richard Webster